Nigerian Flag – History, Who Designed it? Colors, Meaning, Facts

The Nigerian flag is one of the National symbols that makes the country unique in its own way and style. It is simple and beautiful in its design but carries a powerful message to the people of the country.

Beyond its simple design and beautiful colour, have you ever wondered how its design came about, what gave rise to the need to have a flag and why the colours green and white were chosen above all other colours on the wheel?

Here, we bring you a brief history of the flag and certain facts you might not have known.

Brief History of Nigerian Flag

The Nigerian flag was designed by Mr Michael Taiwo Akinkumi in 1959. The Yoruba man was born in Ibadan on the 10th of May 1936. As an electrical engineering student at the Norwood Technical College, London, he came across an advertisement in the national daily paper about a competition for the design of the national flag, and he immediately picked an interest and submitted his entry to the panel in Lagos State.

Mr Taiwo deservedly emerged the winner and was awarded a whopping prize of 100,000 naira, which was a fortune back in the days. However, even though his design was the best, the original design was given a little modification by the judges to better suit what they had in mind.

Taiwo’s original design of the Nigerian flag was a little more intricate than what you see today. It had the image of a red blazing sun in the white space in between which the judges apparently felt was not necessary and as such, it was removed. The picture below shows what Akinwumi came up with before the alterations.

Akinkunmi’s Original Design

Who Designed Nigeria Flag – Mr. Taiwo Akinwumi

For someone who did something as historic as designing the country’s flag, Mr Taiwo got a monetary reward that was actually a fortune at the time but that was it. Years down the line, there was virtually no checks and balances that ensured his well-being for the honour of service he had done for his country and as a result, he slipped the ranks and became like every other commoner who had to hustle and work really hard to earn a living.

However, Nigerians saw this as undeserving of a man who made such an outstanding contribution to the Nation. Mr Taiwo was perceived by most Nigerians to being dishonoured and abandoned by the government as his average state of living was nothing, compared to other Nigerian heroes who were well catered for all through their lifetime. Hence, people cried out on his behalf to the government to do something about his living conditions.

This led the then President Goodluck Jonathan to place him on a lifetime salary equivalent to that of a special assistant. Thanks to Goodluck Jonathan, the hero finally got the honour he deserves. Following that, Mr Taiwo has been recognised by various individuals and organisations.

He also received a National Award – Officer of the order of Federal Republic (OFR) presented by President Jonathan on 29th September 2014. Prior to the National Award, even when asked in an interview, the humble Mr Akinwumi said he has been living well and lacked no nothing. He currently resides in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Description and Meaning of the Nigerian Flag

The Nigerian flag has three vertical stripes of equal sizes, the left and right stripes are green while the centre stripe is white. The central white stripe symbolises the River Niger bisecting the countryside and also represents the nation’s passion for peace and unity, while the two green stripes on either side of the white stripe represent the nations evergreen vegetation and agriculture.

Did you know that the Nigerian flag has standard measuring dimensions? Yes, it does. A large Nigerian flag measures 1.2 meters in breadth and 2.4 meters in length, a medium sized flag measures 0.9m by 1.8m, and small size flags measure 0.6m by 1.2m.

Some Fascinating Facts about Nigeria Flag

1. The flag was first officially hoisted on Nigeria’s first Independence day on the 1st of October 1960.

2. The Nigerian flag is to be shown utmost respect, no emblem or flag is to be flown or placed higher than it.

3. Old, worn-out and dirty flags are not supposed to be displayed publicly as this is seen as disrespect to the country. Worn-out flags should be destroyed and changed immediately.

4. The flag used by the President of Nigeria is a bit different from what the masses use. It is called the presidential flag. It is the national triband with the coat of arms in the centre in proportion 3:5.

5 . The flag is not only a national symbol but also the instrument of state power and the symbol of authority. It narrates the history, dreams and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

6. The Nigerian national flag is hoisted and flown in a smart manner accompanied with a ceremony at dawn and lowered in a similar manner at sunset, that is at 6 a.m and 6 p.m respectively.

7. It can be laid out flat horizontally only on very rare occasions. The only time the flag isn’t hoisted at its peak is during state funerals or memorial days when it is flown at half-mast as a sign of respect.

8. When carried in procession, the bearer is positioned in front and must be properly and neatly dressed.

9. Before now, the flag of the president of Nigeria used to look very different from what it is now. It had a red field in proportion 1:2, with a large green shield, fimbriated white, in the centre. This was charged with the shield from the Coat of Arms which is black, with a wavy-edged ‘Y’ or ‘pall’ in white (representing the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers against the black of Nigeria). Above and below this are three black scrolls containing the legend “President Federal Republic of Nigeria” in gold letters.

10. The date when the old flag was replaced with the newer version is not known.

11. Also in a procession where there are two flags with one being non-national, the national flag should always be in front.

12. Only special dignitaries are allowed to display the national flag on their vehicles, and it should be displayed at the right fender of the car chassis or on the radiator cap.